Lenin Turned Into Romanian Medusa By Modern Artist

Headless Lenin monument transformed into Hydra.

Modern art at times borders on blasphemy. Romanian artist Costin Ionice has “restored” a headless monument to the leader of the Soviet proletariat, and turned it into a sculpture called “Hydra”. This masterpiece can be found in Bucharest, on the old Lenin Square. Now, instead of Vladimir Ilyich’s [Lenin’s] head are snakes’ necks with decorative roses at the end. Incidentally, a copy of this monument, only the original [complete with the correct head] stands in front of Moscow State University on the Lenin Hills in Moscow.

My parents were called to school because I asked whether Lenin was wrong in a history lesson. I can only imagine what would have happened if someone in our class had predicted this!

ngc4594: (responding to above)

I remember when I was about 5 or 6 asking my Mum “Did Lenin poo?”, and I got a nasty shock hearing her affirming it.

rastaev:

Witty. :-)

maksutt:

Snakes don’t have necks.

zinchenko_den: (responding to above)

In this case, they do!!!

reina_loca:

I’m indifferent to politics on the whole, but the monument has just been mutilated. There’s no taste, style, or originality, the first thing that came into my mind was that it was cheap, and he’s blind, it would seem.

m_holodkowski:

Incidentally, the monument is very much of its time. When they knocked the head off, they thought it was forever. But now, it is understood that heads grow back…

Editor of russiaSLAM, Joe Innes, loves all things Russian (well - most things!) and is currently living in St. Petersburg. Please feel free to get in touch by Twitter, Facebook, or by using the contact form on the "About" page.

I don’t think I could call it “Medusa”-like since it’s all roses, not snake heads. I mean, the statue had been headless for a while. Someone put roses in where the head used to be. Despite the creepy appearance, it’s still a seemingly benevolent gesture.

At least, that’s how I view it from the sofa.

Dr Dust Cell

That’s super awesome. I’d like to receive a statue-building treatment as well after I die, medusa head or no!

Medusa doesn’t have snakes for a head though, she has snakes for hairs.